On Sunday, August 17, 2025, Youth Econet hosted a networking event at Kyodo Station Chuo.
The event aimed to foster connections among Youth Econet members, supporters, and advisors, and brought together more than 20 participants.
The event was moderated and facilitated by Yuta Hozumi, who also served as MC at the previous networking event.
The theme of this session was “Food Loss.”
Through presentations and discussions centered on food and the environment, participants explored practical ways to reduce food waste.
Below are the three main activities held on the day.
Self-Introductions
Upon arrival, participants filled out a “self-introduction card” with their name and a keyword about themselves.
After everyone had introduced themselves, participants picked up someone else’s card from the table.
Laughter filled the room, and the activity quickly helped participants feel closer to one another.
Presentations by Speakers
Five speakers took the stage at this event.
They shared presentations about their ongoing initiatives and introduced upcoming events they are planning.
Discussion Sessions
Participants engaged in discussions in small groups around two themes.
By exchanging ideas across different ages and fields of expertise, many new insights and discoveries emerged.
Topic 1
“What can I personally do to reduce food loss?”
A representative from each table summarized their group’s ideas and presented them to everyone.
Some of the ideas shared
- Regularly check the refrigerator and use up ingredients through a “clean-out” routine
- Avoid buying more than necessary just because items are on sale
- Do not rely solely on expiration dates—use your own judgment to decide if food is still edible
- Make good use of freezing and proper cooking methods at home
- Be mindful of sharing knowledge about food loss with people around you
Topic 2
“Relying on Others?! Who should do what to reduce food loss?”
n contrast to the first discussion, this session welcomed idealistic and big-picture ideas.
Participants proposed macro-level approaches, including reforms by governments and businesses, as well as the use of science and technology to address food loss.
Memorable ideas included
- Creating systems that allow customers to take home unsold food from restaurants at their own responsibility
- Imposing taxes on food waste to change incentive structures
- Optimizing food management through AI and automation
- Recognizing that consumer “desire” drives waste—there is a need for a shift in mindset
- Building habits that make people want to reduce food loss
In Closing
The event concluded with encouraging words:
“This doesn’t end today—let’s use this opportunity to change our own actions.”
Perhaps what matters most is continuing to view food loss as our shared challenge and consistently asking ourselves,
“What can I do?”
Participants(Honorifics omitted)
植田順、細谷昌司、小堀貴弘、荒深正博、坂本絢悠、佐々木克仁、野﨑泰、東出りさ、朝長泰人、中嶋夏月、小野佑真、吉井隆貴、三冨陽花、松岡優芽、舞はるり、鈴木核、中津川隆士、穂積裕太、深澤明、福沢美之輔、小林隆雄、宇野治
